The Rapture of
Maturity affirms the joys of discovery
and insight that accompany thoughtful reflection on our years of lived
experience and a pursuit of deeper understanding. It encourages the
kind of thinking that can transform human relations on a global scale.

Rapture is the reward
of living authentically and acting deliberately to leave the world a
better place than we found it. For those who seek such a goal, this
book is indispensable.

"I read Charles Hayes' The Rapture of Maturity with great pleasure. His is a
voice of experienced wisdom, grappling artfully with the
'existential' questions we all grapple with, well or poorly. His
answers, his appreciation of the role of Emersonian ecstasy in
education, and his reflections on things that matter, are well
worth your consideration."

"I'm writing this testimonial before finishing
Charles Hayes' new book because, although I've read it through
twice, I realize that I will NEVER 'finish' reading The
Rapture of Maturity. It will be my vade mecum for the
rest of my life, on that intellectual and spiritual adventure
which is the greatest gift of advancing years.

"Hayes sings gloriously of the joys of learning,
rails magnificently at our dominant culture of apathy and
ignorance, provides handsomely helpful advice on intellectual
self-management and growth--and along the way introduces us
painlessly to most of the important voices in the contemporary
'great conversation.'

"This is one of those rare books that one only
realizes, after it gets written, how desperately needed it was.
At a time when self-help books for the 'boomers' are both
endemic and anemic, this one is a trumpet blast of authenticity,
courage, and useable erudition."

"I agree with Charles
Hayes when he says, 'Nothing is as it seems.' He clearly
understands that we must make efforts to overcome our
conditioning if we are to fulfill our potential. The
Rapture of Maturity spells out why it is important for
all human beings to be stretched (not stressed) throughout our
lives, to always inquire about the truth of things, and to serve
others."

--John Taylor Gatto,
former New York Teacher of the Year;
author of The Underground History of
American Education

"The Rapture of
Maturity takes the reader on a wonderful intellectual
journey through the author's own lived experiences as well as
some timeless scholarly works on the mysteries of human
existence. The book is a rich tapestry in which threads of
insight are interwoven by the author into a fabric of wisdom,
providing the reader with a comforting blanket of understanding
regarding some of the more distressing aspects of being human.

"Charles Hayes does this by
building insight upon insight, showing us that we can develop a
heightened awareness of life's mental treasures by reflecting
on, and engaging in, true learning about one's self and the
world. This book will appeal to adults of all ages who are
seeking a mature existence in an otherwise superficial world.
Those who are in the second half of life and engaged in a review
of life's meanings will find this both inspiring and comforting.
Those who are nearing middle age and want to ensure that their
second half of life is ripe with meaning will find this to be a
valuable guide for directing their lives. And, those young
people who see through the banality of a popular culture that is
trying to cajole them into shortsighted lifestyles will take
pause and consider the wisdom of the ages."

Like
great plays, movies, and novels, our lives tend to reveal their
meaning with greater clarity near the end. To get it right,
we must apply artistry and the wisdom of experience to our final
chapters.

With The Rapture of Maturity,
lifelong learning advocate Charles D. Hayes reminds adults in the
September of their days that they have one last chance to matter
as human beings.

What will people say of you when you are gone?

What do you wish they would say?

What really matters when your own mortality looms
on the horizon?

Will future generations be better off because of
you?

Hayes reminds us that as long as we are alive these
are open questions.

By continuing to examine our values, our
motivations, and our common beliefs, by exploring issues beyond the
superficial level of popular culture, and by teaching our grandchildren
to do the same, older adults can demonstrate to younger generations that
we truly have something going for us after all.

The Rapture of Maturity affirms the
joys of discovery and insight that accompany thoughtful reflection on
our years of lived experience and a pursuit of deeper understanding. It
encourages the kind of thinking that can transform human relations on a
global scale.

Rapture is the reward of living authentically and
acting deliberately to leave the world a better place than we found it.
For those who seek such a goal, this book is indispensable.